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At least 721 records · Page 40
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Dual Triggered Beam Extraction Kicker (Rev. 1)

A Blumlein modulator is a relatively inexpensive pulsed power device that can deliver highly repeatable pulses that can be used to change the path of beam pulses. The modulator is primarily built with transmission line cable which is relatively inexpensive. Due to the highly repeatable nature of a Blumlein modulator it is a great tool for kicking beam pulses while producing very little spill or losses in beam current. One of the challenges with a Blumlein kicker is that the length of the kicking pulse output by the modulator is determined by the length of the cables. Cable lengths are set prior to implementation for the desired kicking pulse width. The Blumlein modulator at LANSCE uses a single thyratron which can deliver two 50-kilovolt 1,000-amp pulses of opposite polarity to kicking plates at the same time. This method makes for a very strong kick that is highly repeatable. A method that has been discussed, to deliver a different pulse width, is to add a second trigger that would be fired, once the desired pulse width has been delivered, cutting out the remaining pulse. The second trigger would offer a lot of variability with the pulse width of the kicker. This method has only ever been attempted using low current and relatively low voltages compared to the scale needed to properly kick a beam pulse. This in turn allows for the use of power supplies with a higher repetition rate. The advancement of this standard kicker technology in the accelerator facilities would attract attention within the scientific and engineering communities. The project detailed within will investigate the capabilities of different triggering topologies and design a prototype dual triggered Blumlein kicker modulator capable of variable kicking pulse width.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2023

TA-03-0016 Ion Beam Facility D&D: Sphere of Influence [Slides]

TA-03-0016 Ion Beam Facility: This structure is 70 years old and has been vacant since 1994 and was excessed in 1999. The Ion Beam Facility (IBF) was built in 1953 to support essential post-World War II scientific research and houses LANL's original vertical and tandem Van de Graaff accelerators. The vertical Van de Graaff accelerator was built under the direction of Joseph McKibben from 1948 to 1952 and was used for applied nuclear physics experiments. The Ion Beam facility is considered by NNSA as one of its highest risk process contaminated facilities within the complex. Ion Beam is a radiological facility adjacent to the LANL Occupational Medicine Facility on the south side of TA-3, the most populated technical area at LANL. It poses an undesirable fire risk, especially given its close location to a rugged wooded canyon and difficulties in fighting a wildland fire in such a location. Demolition of this structure will provide a constructable site for critical mission radiological laboratory spaces.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Secondary Pion Production using the LINAC Beam on Graphite and Tungsten Targets

The Fermilab 400-MeV Linac primary proton beam can produce precision, single-species secondary beams using a production target in the MeV Test Area experimental hall; specifically, pions from 4 up to 120 MeV kinetic energy. (These low energy pions rapidly decay into a muon beam in a secondary collection and transport beamline.) Although graphite is a standard production target material given its ultra-high temperature tolerance and low impact on the post-target primary beam, secondary pion/muon total production cross sections increase approximately as Z1/3 for positive muons and N2/3 for negative muons. Higher mass targets such as tungsten can potentially increase low-energy m+ and m- rates by factors of 3 and 8, respectively. Initial production studies have confirmed higher muon yield from heavy targets (tungsten vs carbon), but also, surprisingly, show significant differences in pion production between modern hadronic models (GENIEhad) and between GEANT and MCNP, state of the art production modeling codes. This project will further investigate the production discrepancies between these two target materials and between different physics models with high-statistics runs using the GEANT-based code, G4Beamline to better quantify the results and compare with production data which will be obtained using the MTA secondary beamline.

Ahmed, Shiza↗
DOE OSTI2023

Progress on an Electron Beam Profile Monitor at the Fermilab Main Injector

The current program at Fermilab involves the construction of a new superconducting linear accelerator (LINAC) to replace the existing warm version. The new LINAC, together with other planned improvements, is in support of proton beam intensities in the Main Injector (MI) that will exceed 2 MW. Measuring the transverse profiles of these high intensity beams in a ring requires non-invasive techniques. The MI uses ionization profile monitors as its only profile system. An alternative technique involves measuring the deflection of a probe beam of electrons with a trajectory perpendicular to the proton beam. This type of device was installed in MI and initial studies of it have been previously presented. This paper will present the status and recent studies of the device utilizing different techniques.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Heating, DPA, and He production in the Proton Beam Window Assembly for the Second Target Station

This report details the analysis of the heating rates, dpa values, and He production in the Proton Beam Window (PBW), the assembly around the PBW, and the shielding above it. Neutronics calculations use a detailed Unstructured Mesh (UM) converted from the solid CAD model of the PBW design of June 2022. The rest of the geometry is taken from the CSG master model (as of June 2022). For this analysis, a proton beam profile with a footprint of ≈90 cm 2 has been used. This proton profile was created by a Ring to Second Target magnet array configuration using octupole magnets. Maximum values in the PBW (aluminum) are 5.4 J/cc/pulse heating rate, 1.1 dpa per year, and 660 appm He-production per year. These results within ~ 10% with the previous calculations from June 2020. Average heating and dpa rates have been calculated for each component in the PBW assembly and will be used to evaluate and design the cooling needs and make decisions on removable components for the PBW. It is desirable to optimize and simplify the PBW design by only replacing components that are at the end of their lifetime. Additional analysis for the energy deposition in the PBW is performed for two super-Gaussian beam profiles with a footprint of 60 cm 2 and 30 cm 2 respectively. Also, an estimate of the PBW lifetime is performed for two realistic quadrupole beam profiles.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Linac_Gen: Integrating Machine Learning and Particle-in-Cell Methods for Enhanced Beam Dynamics at Fermilab

Here, we introduce Linac_Gen, a tool developed at Fermilab, which combines machine learning algorithms with Particle-in-Cell methods to advance beam dynamics in linacs. Linac_Gen employs techniques such as Random Forest, Genetic Algorithms, Support Vector Machines, and Neural Networks, achieving a tenfold increase in speed for phase-space matching in Linacs over traditional methods, through the use of genetic algorithms. Crucially, Linac_Gen's adept handling of 3D field maps elevates the precision and realism in simulating beam instabilities and resonances, marking a key advancement in the field. Benchmarked against established codes, Linac_Gen demonstrates not only improved efficiency and precision in beam dynamics studies but also in the design and optimization of Linac systems, as evidenced in its application to Fermilab's PIP-II Linac project. This work represents a notable advancement in accelerator physics, marrying ML with PIC methods to set new standards for efficiency and accuracy in accelerator design and research. Linac_Gen exemplifies a novel approach in accelerator technology, offering substantial improvements in both theoretical and practical aspects of beam dynamics.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Proton Beam Dynamics in Bare IOTA with Intense Space-Charge

We are commissioning a 2.5~MeV proton beam for the Integrable Optics Test Accelerator at Fermilab, allowing experiments in the strong space-charge regime with incoherent betatron tune shifts nearing 0.5. Accurate modelling of space-charge dynamics is vital for understanding planned experiments. We compare anticipated emittance growth and beam loss in the bare IOTA configuration using transverse space-charge models in Xsuite, PyORBIT, and MAD-X simulation codes. Our findings reveal agreement within 30\% in core phase-space density predictions up to 100~synchrotron periods at moderate beam currents, while tail distributions and beam loss show significant differences.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Constraining Cross Section and Beam Systematics for Future NOvA Sterile Neutrino Search

he NOvA (NuMI Off-axis $\nu_e$ Appearance) experiment measures neutrino oscillations in a nearly pure muon (anti)neutrino beam over a 810 km baseline. We search for sterile neutrino driven oscillations in both neutral current (NC) and charged current (CC) muon neutrino samples. A deficit of NC interactions at the Far Detector could occur since sterile neutrinos do not couple to the Z boson. A modulation of the muon neutrino disappearance probability is possible due to a new mass splitting. The NuMI beam line is capable of running in forward or reverse horn current modes, which creates a neutrino or antineutrino beam, respectively. Samples collected in forward horn current (FHC) or reverse horn current (RHC) modes are subject to beam optics uncertainties, in addition to cross section and hadron production uncertainties. We explore the ategories. To tackle reduction of cross section uncertainties, we study how splitting the neutral current (NC) samples can impact the systematic reduction and its implications on oscillation parameters, leveraging results from Monte Carlo simulations. Additionally, we look at the possibility of using a $\nu$-on-e scattering sample. The $\nu$-on-e scattering process has minimal cross section uncertainties compared to that of neutrino-nucleus interactions, which can help constrain the overall flux normalizations. Using both the ZHC sample, NC split sample, and $\nu$-on-e scattering sample jointly with FHC samples would reduce the focusing uncertainties and the hadron production uncertainties in the future sterile analysis.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Improving NOvA's Sterile Neutrino Search with the Booster Neutrino Beam

The NOvA experiment’s most recent search for eV-scale sterile neutrinos is systematically limited in the region of parameter space where $\Delta m^2_{41} \gtrsim 1~\mathrm{eV}^2$. This region of parameter space is preferred by sterile neutrino interpretations of current experimental anomalies; improving sensitivity here is high-priority. When added directly into the fit, additional data samples which are subject to orthogonal systematic uncertainties act as in-situ constraints, breaking the degeneracy between systematic uncertainties and sterile-induced oscillations. The NOvA experiment consists of two functionally identical detectors, 14.6 mrad off-axis of the NuMI beam, with the Near Detector (Far Detector) 1 km (810 km) from the beam source. The Near Detector’s position on-site at Fermilab means that it is also able to observe neutrinos from a second neutrino beam, the BNB, 160 mrad off-axis. NOvA has been taking BNB data since 2015, but has not yet analysed these data. The BNB and NuMI are subject to different beam-related uncertainties, allowing us to leverage this sample as an in-situ constraint. This poster will present the current status, preliminary simulations, and potential additional uses of this unique experimental setup

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2024

New Search for a Sterile Neutrino at MicroBooNE with BNB and NuMI Beams

The MicroBooNE experiment employs an 85-ton active volume liquid argon time projection chamber to detect neutrinos from both the on-axis Booster Neutrino Beam (BNB) and off-axis Neutrinos at the Main Injector (NuMI) beam. This poster describes short baseline neutrino oscillations in a 3+1 sterile neutrino model and presents the MicroBooNE results using only the BNB beam. Additionally, it states the impact of a degeneracy resulting from the cancellation of $\nu_e$ appearance and disappearance and demonstrates that combining data from the BNB and NuMI beams, which have substantially different $\nu_e/\nu_\mu$ ratios, can break this degeneracy.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Beam Loss Assessment Through Use of Photomultiplier Tubes

The first machine in the Fermilab Accelerator chain, the Linac, delivers a 400 MeV proton beam. The first portion of the Fermilab Linac, the Drift Tube Linac, lacks the degree of instrumentation necessary for beam tuning. To compensate for this, photomultiplier tube (PMT s) based loss monitors were installed on either side of the first two drift tube tanks, but are not yet operational. One of the main goals in this is to make PMT's operational beam loss monitors for tuning. Noise reduction and peak finding on the PMT data is a requirement for this. A method for noise reduction and peak finding has been developed and implemented to produce a consistent and stable output. Future work includes integration with ACNET to automate input and output of data for analysis of beam loss.

Waggoner, Alexander↗
DOE OSTI2024

Automated Calibration System for Beam Current Monitor

The Beam Current Monitor (BCM) measures the instantaneous current in a beam. This work aims to develop an automated calibration system for the BCM to address the need for calibration without interrupting beam operation. We strive to create a synchronous calibration method integrated into the master timeline by utilizing the pulsed nature of synchrotrons to run calibration pulses during inter-pulse gaps. This improvement should enhance operational efficiency, ensure safe operation, and help mitigate beam loss, all by enabling intermittent calibration during the operation of the accelerator. This is accomplished by developing a Python program that interfaces with a Keithley 6221 DC and AC source and a Keithley 2182A Nanovoltmeter. The program configures both of these devices to perform a selected mode of the current sweep, allows for the initiation of the current sweep, collects the measured voltage data from the 2182A, stores the collected data to the computer in a CSV file, and graphs the collected data.

Haller, James↗
DOE OSTI2024

The Fermilab Facility for Dark Matter Discovery (F2D2): A Conceptual PIP-II Beam Stop Facility for Dark Sector Physics

What do the accelerator target stations of the next decade look like? The NuMI beamline, fed by Fermilab s Main Injector, recently exceeded 1 MW beam power. Future experiments fed by the PIP-II superconducting linear accelerator might demand upwards of 2 MW in continuous-wave mode, compared to the pulsed beams typical of neutrino experiments. Looking further into the future, the Muon Collider front end includes a target station with even higher power 5 MW or beyond. How do we build a 2+ MW target facility? How does a high-power, low-energy, CW beam affect target design compared to conventional high-energy neutrino targets? How do we manage radiation and heat? How is the facility serviced? What is the current state of capability, and what technologies do we need to develop? These questions are answered in the context of F2D2, a conceptual target station design for dark sector physics experiments using beam from PIP-II.

Williams, Jonathan K.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Beam Dynamics of the Muon $g\textrm{-}2$ Experiment

The Muon $g\textrm{-}2$ Experiment (E989) at Fermilab aims to measure the muon anomalous magnetic moment $a_{\mu}$ with unprecedented precision, potentially uncovering physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. The result based on Runs 1-3, released in 2023, achieved a precision of 0.20 ppm. The experiment circulates muons in a storage ring, measuring $a_{\mu}$ from decay positron time and energy measurements collected with calorimeters. To achieve the required accuracy, it is crucial to measure and control the magnetic field in the ring with high precision. Beam dynamics corrections are necessary for muons not orbiting exactly in the midplane, for their oscillations, and for electric field effects. Highly accurate beam dynamics simulations are instrumental for quantifying and validating the beam dynamics corrections, ultimately improving the precision of the $a_{\mu}$ measurement and facilitating the achievement of the ambitious $70\:\mathrm{ppb}$ systematic uncertainty goal. The measured field data was incorporated into models for simulations using three codes: \texttt{gm2ringsim} (an internal Geant4-based code), \textit{COSY INFINITY}, and \textit{BMAD}. The advantages of \texttt{gm2ringsim} include using CAD-based geometry and modelling the detector effects. \textit{COSY INFINITY} is a highly accurate and efficient code that uses high-order differential-algebraic transfer maps, precise fringe field calculations, and advanced symplectification methods. Symplectification is important for maintaining the physical correctness of the muon beam behaviour with high precision over the storage time, ensuring conservation of phase space volume and preventing artificial damping or excitation of particle motion. The experiment completed its final Run 6 in July 2023, collecting 21 times more data than the previous BNL experiment. Analyses of data from Runs 4-6 are ongoing, with results planned for release in 2025, potentially resolving the current tension between experiment and theory.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2024

High-Entropy Alloy R&D for Accelerator Beam Window Applications

High-Entropy Alloys are a class of novel material that can offer improved resistance to beam-induced radiation damage and thermal shock. Development of these new alloys to serve as beam windows in multi-megawatt accelerator target applications is ongoing at Fermilab. Currently we are investigating AlCoCrMnTiV alloy systems of 4-6 components for service as beam windows; these compositions are predicted by CALPHAD simulation to have a low density and single-phase BCC crystal structure. The microstructures of these systems are being studied by electron microscopy techniques such as energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) to determine elemental homogeneity and composition, electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) to quantify grain structure and orientation, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to observe defect structures and precipitate formation; nanoindentation is used to probe microstructural mechanical properties. Initial bulk property characterization utilizes differential scanning calorimetry to quantify specific heat capacity (cp), dilatometry to determine the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), and time-domain thermoreflectance (TDTR) to measure thermal conductivity (K). A miniature tensile testing apparatus is also being developed to test tensile properties. Post-irradiation examination is currently ongoing for several of these compositions that have been irradiated by low-energy ions to damage levels and at a temperature relevant to beam window applications at future next-generation accelerator facilities. This talk will briefly describe the alloy design and synthesis before going into more depth covering microstructural pre-characterization, and post-irradiation examination results from low-energy ion irradiated specimens. This will be followed by the plans for alloy down selection and future prototypic proton irradiations.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Transversely driven coherent beam oscillations and specifications for high-frequency ESR dipole power supply current ripple

We study coherent transverse beam oscillations in the EIC electron storage ring (ESR), to specify the tolerance for high-frequency ripple of the dipole magnet power supplies. To avoid unacceptable proton emittance growth from the oscillating beam-beam kick from the electrons, the amplitude of these oscillations at the proton betatron frequency needs to be limited to about 1e-4 fraction of the beam size at the interaction point. We show that the oscillations potentially caused by the ESR magnet dipole power supply ripple could be substantial, but still tolerable, if we account for the eddy current shielding in the vacuum chamber.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Degraded beam study of CEBAF

An electron beam degrader has been installed in the CEBAF injector in support of the positron capabilities of the machine, enabling machine acceptance measurements and testing of large emittance beam transport. This update provides the current state of the project, including proposed beam tests and preliminary results from simulations and previous beam studies.

Lizarraga-Rubio, Victor [Universidad de Guanajuato↗
DOE OSTI2025

Beam Shaping and Oscillation for Metals Additive Manufacturing

Additive Manufacturing (AM) is pivotal for next-generation industrial manufacturing but is hampered by process control challenges leading to unwanted defects and sub-optimal material properties. Our research builds on prior work that utilized beam oscillation techniques to mitigate these issues (Wu et al., 2023). We focus on investigating the influence of beam oscillation frequency on melt pool dynamics, utilizing in-situ synchrotron material characterization from the ESRF (Chen et al., 2026). Preliminary findings indicated that beam oscillation results in unique fluid flow patterns and enhanced melting stability. These findings suggested the possibility of optimized AM process control, including minimized defects and tailored thermal histories. We proposed further research to explore the effects of beam oscillation frequencies comprehensively, using the in-situ characterization capabilities at the ESRF. The goal was to quantify this relationship, offering a pathway to more precise AM process control and optimization. Our research is expected to offer new scientific insights into the fluid mechanics and thermal behaviour in AM, contributing to its broader applicability and commercial viability.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗